Beau Hollins follows in family legacy, signs with South Carolina baseball
Beau Hollins became well-versed in all things about South Carolina baseball — despite growing up almost 750 miles north of USC’s campus.
Beau’s father Dave Hollins (1985-87) and uncle Paul Hollins (1978-81) both played for the Gamecocks and got him interested in baseball and the USC program. On Wednesday, it was Beau’s turn to continue the family tradition.
The River Bluff High standout signed his letter of intent to play college baseball for the Gamecocks. Hollins committed to USC before his sophomore season in August of 2021. The family lived in Buffalo but moved to South Carolina before his freshman year of high school.
“It means a lot coming from my dad playing here and my uncle playing here. It is just carrying on that legacy. I’m happy to officially be a Gamecock,” Hollins said. “... Growing up in Buffalo, I watched USC football, basketball and baseball games. Watched South Carolina baseball’s back-to-back championship. I have been a Gamecock fan for a long time.”
Hollins recently took his official visit to USC and was there with other Gamecocks recruits, including Summerville’s PJ Morlando and Carson Messina.
“It was good putting that uniform on. It was pretty good,” Hollins said.
Dave Hollins, who played for June Raines at USC and then spent 12 seasons in the majors, including with the 1993 World Series team with the Philadelphia Phillies, said Beau pushed for the family to move to South Carolina to be able to play baseball on a year-round basis.
“It is fun to see him going through all this. It is exciting with my old school Carolina. He has aspirations to play pro ball. And we will see what happens with the draft,” Dave Hollins said. “South Carolina is a great program and has such a great facility. If he ends up there, we will be there to support him.”
Beau Hollins has drawn a lot of interest from Major League Baseball scouts but is trying not to think about that too much just yet. He got a taste of the pro experience this summer, traveling to Philadelphia with his dad as the 1983 and 1993 World Series teams were honored in August.
Beau Hollins spent a lot of time with Phillies star Bryce Harper (his favorite player) and talked with other Phillies Hall of Famers such as Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton, and he met Phillies owner John Middleton.
“He met all my teammates, the owner and they all treated him well,” Dave Hollins said. “They are following his career and looking forward to the draft and looking forward to seeing where he ends up.”
Beau Hollins had a record-setting junior season in helping River Bluff to its first state championship. The infielder/pitcher hit .445 and led the state with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs. He was 4-0 on the mound but was shut down as a pitcher the last few months because of left elbow issues.
Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers team doctor, performed surgery on Hollins in June. Because of the surgery, he didn’t have a chance to play any showcases or travel ball games over the summer while he rehabbed.
Hollins has been cleared to start throwing and he said there shouldn’t be any limitations on him once the season rolls around.
“I’m itching to get back out there. Watching baseball is getting to me. I’m trying to be patient and smart. I finally started throwing so I’m feeling great and ready to go,” Beau said. “... I’m excited for the season. Winning another state championship would be pretty cool. But just playing the best I can. Getting hits for my teammates and pitching great for my teammates.”
